It's art in motion -- human-powered sculptures that are put together outside the American Visionary Art Museum in Federal Hill. On Thursday, teams were getting ready for the 16th edition of the race that will involve travel by land and water.

"It is just the most fun we have all year," said Nick Prevas, the communications director at the American Visionary Art Museum.

Prevas described what happens throughout the race.

"A wacky contraption that backyard tinkerers make in their garages and basement -- something that has to traverse the city for 15 miles, and it's going to be wonderful. We also have a sand pit and a mud pit obstacle in Patterson Park, and then it's back to AVAM to finish the race."

Luann Carra and Melinda Walker are part of a neighborhood team that have worked for months on "The Swan Song of Betsy Patterson," a sculpture that is an ode to the power of women.

"She will float. She's a swan," Carra said.

"It's made of plastic and recycled materials -- all kinds of things. The eyes are made of hamster balls for puppetry," Walker said of the sculpture that even spits water.

Most of the sculptures are powered by bicycles. In the swan's case, two were welded together with floats on each side.

"The whole thing just goes into the water, so the swan should be seen going out into the bay," Carra said.

Prevas said the race isn't just about winning and ingenuity.

"It's really to inspire the masses that anyone can be an artist and anyone has an opportunity to really show off their skills and learn how to do something as a team," Prevas said. "We celebrate failure, so we actually have an award for the first vehicle that breaks down. We call it the Golden Dinosaur Award."

"I'm loving it. I just moved back to Baltimore from Florida, and this is the reason. Baltimore is quirky and fun. Nowhere else do you make swans that go over land and into water and then back out of the water. It's just a lot of fun," Walker said.

Race organizers said no sculptures have ever sunk in the race. A few have toppled over a little, and by the end, everyone is covered in mud.

The race begins in Federal Hill Park at 10 a.m. Saturday. To get the official spectator's guide, click here.